What Do People Do?

For most people who consider Friday 13th unlucky, it is more a question of what they avoid doing, rather than what they do on this day.

The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia. Frigg is the Norse goddess whom Friday is named after and triskaidekaphobia means the fear of 13. It's also known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, which is based on the Greek word for Friday.

Truly Frightening

It is a real fear – some people who have this disorder are even too afraid to say the words “Friday the 13th.” Others avoid flying on a plane, going to work, or even getting out of bed. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, millions of Americans are afraid of Friday the 13th. Symptoms of this fear range from mild anxiety and a nagging sense of doom to full-blown panic attacks.

August the Worst

In Brazil, Friday 13 in August is considered unluckier than any other Friday 13, especially as agosto (August) rhymes with desgosto (sorrow).

Some charities use Friday 13 for fund raising events. At Port Dover in Ontario, Canada, there is a big celebration for motorcyclists called PD13, which attracts large crowds.

Others choose to have parties with unlucky or creepy themes similar to Halloween.

Famous Horror Film

“Friday the 13th” is also the name of a commercially successful Hollywood movie series. An image of a hockey mask donned by the film's character Jason is often associated with the film.

In many Spanish speaking countries, Friday 13th is a lucky day. In fact, the Spanish edition of “Friday the 13th” was renamed “Tuesday the 13th” (“Martes 13”), because this is believed to be the unluckiest day of the year. It is also a common belief that Friday 13 is a particularly lucky day for children to be born.

Super Lucky

Some people have won millions of dollars in lotteries on Friday 13. According to CNN.com, one British couple won $17 million after buying their lottery ticket on Friday 13. The same day, their mirror at home fell and broke, which according to superstition leads to 7 years of bad luck.

Judas – 13th Guest at Last Supper

Some say that the concept of Friday and the number 13 being unlucky may be linked to stories from the Bible. For example, Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, has been labeled "the 13th guest" at the Last Supper.

Other biblical events that supposedly occurred on a Friday include the great flood during the time of Noah, the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel, the day Eve tempted Adam with the apple, and Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified.

On Friday 13, October 1307, a warrant was issued for the Knights Templar to be arrested. Masses of Templars were tortured or executed.

Loki – Norse Party Crasher

The superstition surrounding Friday 13 could also be linked to Norse mythology. According to one legend, 12 gods were at a banquet at Valhalla when Loki, the demi-god of mischief who was not invited, turned up, bringing the total number of guests to 13. He was responsible for the chaos that led to the death of one of the good gods, Balder, so all the gods grieved.

Egyptian Afterlife

The ancient Egyptians thought the number 13 was lucky because they believed that the 13th stage of life was related to the afterlife. After the decline of the ancient Egyptian civilization, the number 13 was still associated with the end of earthly life. However, its connotation shifted from hope to death and fear.

Symbols

Some people believe that the number 13 and black cats, which are associated with Friday 13, are symbols of femininity.

Friday the 13th Observances

Holiday currently only shown for years 2000–2049.

Weekday

Date

Year

Name

Holiday Type

Fri

Jan 13

2012

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Apr 13

2012

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Jul 13

2012

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Sep 13

2013

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Dec 13

2013

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Jun 13

2014

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Feb 13

2015

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Mar 13

2015

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Nov 13

2015

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

May 13

2016

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Jan 13

2017

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Oct 13

2017

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Apr 13

2018

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Jul 13

2018

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Sep 13

2019

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Dec 13

2019

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Mar 13

2020

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Fri

Nov 13

2020

Friday the 13th

Worldwide observance

Quick Facts

Friday the 13th is a day full of superstitious beliefs in communities worldwide.